In a buoyant year for Airbus, the European manufacturer delivered a record 588 aircraft to 89 customers, including 17 new customers, during 2012. The number of deliveries was 10 per cent higher than the record set in 2011. Some 30 A380s were delivered during the year.
Airbus also massively exceeded its target for orders, having won 914 gross orders –264 more than the annual target of 650. Included in the orders were 305 for the current A320 models and 478 for the A320neo, 82 A330/A340 family, 40 A350s and nine A380s. Airbus now has a backlog of 4,682 aircraft valued at more than $600 billion.
The orders for commercial aircraft, however, were still not enough for Airbus to retain its status at the top of the delivery table, having ceded the position to Boeing, which delivered 601 commercial aircraft duringt 2012.
Meanwhile Airbus Military delivered 29 aircraft in 2012 including five A330 MRTTs, while receiving orders for 32 light transport aircraft. The A400M program continued during the year with the completion of 300 hours of flight testing. The aircraft is expected to achieve certification by the end of March with the first deliveries during the second quarter.
“Looking back over 2012, we can proudly say it was a fantastic year,” said Fabrice Bregier, Airbus President and CEO. “We delivered a record number of aircraft which highlights our increasing efficiency, and the market again demonstrated its confidence in all our products. In 2012, we delivered the first ‘Sharklet’ aircraft, and with a commanding lead in the single aisle market, the dividends from our strategic decision to invest in the kind of innovation which generates value for our customers, is paying off. We are keeping our production rates at a manageable pace, which is good for our supply chain, and bodes well for our long term profitability and bright future.”
Airbus said the list price of its commercial aircraft had been increased by 3.6 per cent, taking an A320neo to US$100.2 million and the A380 to US$403.9 million.
